Olympic swimmer Yusra Mardini on her escape, homeland and new beginnings

In 2015, Yusra Mardini fled Syria with her sister to Germany. Only a year later she took part in the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. The Netflix film adaptation of her escape follows seven years later. In the BRIGITTE interview, it becomes immediately clear why she and her life story are so inspiring.

It is hard for us to imagine having to leave our family, friends and home behind at the age of 17 to flee a cruel war. Because the future was hopeless, swimmers Yusra Mardini, 25, and her older sister Sara, 28, had to make this difficult decision and dared to flee to Germany in 2015. The start of a journey between death and new beginnings.

Yusra is strong, ambitious and human. She is considered an example of exemplary integration, but she is much more than that and therefore our woman of the month. In the BRIGITTE interview we talk to her about home, family and goals.

About war, homeland and family: Yusra Mardini in the BRIGITTE interview

BRIGITTE: There aren’t many women your age who have had to go through as much as you. You fled from Syria to Germany and took part in the Summer Olympics just a year later. What was it like to leave home back then?

It broke my heart when I had to leave my country. Only my passion for swimming and wanting to be an Olympic swimmer made me feel better. I was one of the lucky ones who managed to take part in the Olympic Games. Competing for the Refugee Olympic Team gave me the hope and courage to have a strong voice to speak up for millions of refugees around the world – and for that I am still grateful to this day.

And how was the new beginning in Germany? How were you able to process the experience?
I found it difficult; not having friends, family or loved ones. I thought, ‘Oh yeah, I’ll be home in a year or two anyway, so why learn the language.’ But I’ve made new friends through swimming and had a great, supportive swim club that has helped me slowly feel at home again. But I am very homesick and miss Syria every day, my family and friends. The war was so brutal and I hope it ends soon.

In November 2022 the film “The Swimmers” was released, which tells the story of you and your sister. How close is the film adaptation to reality?
He’s very close, I’d say 80 percent is true. I was overwhelmed with joy and many emotions to see our whole life story on TV.

Why is it so important that this film was made?
We wanted people to understand what refugees are going through and what it means to stay hopeful during life’s most difficult times. We also wanted to tell the story of millions of refugees crossing the border and making sure people understand that crossings are still ongoing and the refugees need help – our help. We hope this film can change the way refugees are told and inspire people to be kinder to them.

Reboot in the US

In the meantime, Yusra Mardini has left Germany behind. In addition to her work for the UN refugee agency UNHCR, she is also a brand ambassador for the sporting goods manufacturer Arena and dared to start over as a student in the USA.

Now you live in the USA and study. How did the decision come about? And how important is swimming to you now?
I wanted to study something I’m passionate about. My major, which is Film & TV Production, allows me to tell stories of incredible people who have endured a tough journey like mine. USC is one of the best places to do that.

What does home mean to you?

Home is a place where I feel peaceful, safe and free to express myself.

What are your fondest memories of Syria? And would you like to visit the country again?
Being with my friends and family, going to the pool in the summer and enjoying good food. I miss it very much and I hope to visit the country soon.

You stand for a successful integration. How are you with that?
I think every story is very unique in its own way and each of us struggles with our own problems. I want to be someone who motivates humanity to be kind to one another.

What do you wish for the future and your family?
I hope the future is brighter for my country and its people. I hope the world will be a peaceful place where we can all support and empower each other. As for my family, I wish them all the best and will be there to support their dreams!

Yusra Mardini: Swimming saved her life

In 2015, the Mardini sisters fled Syria to Istanbul. Arriving in Turkey, they organized the crossing to Lesbos with the help of smugglers. Exactly this trip almost became their undoing. They crossed from Turkey to Greece in a motorized dinghy, the capacity of which was far exceeded with 18 people. The journey should take approximately 45 minutes.

The engine failed. In order not to sink with the boat, the sisters had no choice but to jump into the water, stabilize the boat and swim. Of 18 refugees, only one other person could swim. The three of them fought their way through the open sea for hours, survived and finally arrived in Germany. An experience that would probably have broken many people; However, Yusra Mardini never gave up and stuck to her dream of “one day being part of the Olympic Games”.

Bridget

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